Our research
We're building the knowledge and evidence to drive forward change.
It is imperative that we make fundamental changes at a global level to dismantle the barriers holding women entrepreneurs back from success and equality. First, we need to know exactly what these barriers are.
Carrying out primary research and listening to first-hand experiences of women entrepreneurs is a vital part of the work we do. Identifying these barriers women entrepreneurs face, as well as why they exist and their potential solutions, is crucial to overcoming them and enacting change for all the women entrepreneurs of the future.
Empowered or Undermined? Women Entrepreneurs & the Digital Economy, 2024
This report examines how online gender-based violence (GBV) shapes women’s behaviour and digital inclusion, how women use digital tools—such as social media, AI, e-commerce and Mobile Money, and digital technology’s broader implications for their businesses.
Bridging the Divide: Women, Tech and Business Success, 2023
Identifying women’s common challenges and opportunities, this report casts a particular spotlight on the broader influence and potential of technology, such as AI, for women’s businesses, and resulting gendered social and economic outcomes.
Resilience and Determination in the Face of Global Challenges, 2022
This report highlights the key issues facing women entrepreneurs in 2022, including unequal unpaid care work, gender stereotypes, and lack of access to finance as well as our calls to action for tackling them.
Gender Stereotypes and Their Impact on Women Entrepreneurs, 2021
This report highlights and suggests ways to tackle the gender stereotypes that shape women’s journeys to and through entrepreneurship.
Women Entrepreneurs: Surviving the Pandemic & Beyond, 2021
This comprehensive report draws on responses from 125 women across 32 countries. It illustrates the stark impacts of COVID-19 on women entrepreneurs and other major barriers they face—such as gender stereotypes, legal challenges and lack of access to finance.
Women Entrepreneurs Struggling & Innovating in the Face of COVID-19, 2020
As COVID-19 began to take a hold in 2020, we ran a short survey with women who have participated or were currently participating in our mentoring and entrepreneurship programmes to better understand what was happening and how we could help.
Levelling the Playing Field: What Women Entrepreneurs Want, 2020
First hand evidence from women entrepreneurs around the world about the challenges they face and what they think the solutions might be.
Explore more of our research:
Research conducted in 2012 into the gender gap in access to mobile technology in South Asia.
Research conducted in 2012 into mobile services which can help women entrepreneurs develop their businesses.
A ground-breaking report published in 2010, quantifying the gender gap in mobile technology across developing countries.
Contact details
Get in touch with us today to discuss opportunities to collaborate on research or advocacy. Together, we can influence change for women entrepreneurs.
Be part of the change
Since 2008, we’ve directly supported over 250,000 women through our programmes to grow and strengthen their businesses, and in turn support their families and communities. We’re also making strides through our advocacy work to change the global landscape for the better so women entrepreneurs everywhere can thrive well into the future.
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